164 Infantry Reunion Held Last Weekend

Heidi Harris/Times-Record
Allen Schuldt stands next to Bernie Wagner who is the president of the 164 Infantry Association. Schuldt showed his collection of military memorabilia at the 164 Infantry Association Reunion last weekend.

Veterans from the 164 Infantry Association gathered in Valley City last weekend for its annual reunion.

Veterans and their families from the 164 Infantry National Guard, who fought in World War II and the Korean War, enjoyed a weekend of visiting, musical entertainment and food.

The event began Friday with registration and a social at the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Club.

A supper and dance was held at the VFW on Friday evening, and Saturday’s events, including a meeting, memorial service and banquet, were held at the Senior Center, American Legion and VFW.

Veteran Dave Lokken, Sr., Leal, said he was looking forward to talking with fellow veterans.

“We’ve been doing this (reunion) for many years,” Lokken said.

Pat Drong, secretary treasurer of the infantry association and coordinator of the reunion, said the veterans “just have a good time getting together telling stories and remembering.”

Drong said Saturday’s memorial ceremony was in honor of all those from the infantry who have passed away within the past year.

Drong’s father Bernie Wagner is the president of the association and is a veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

Wagner said veterans from the community, North Dakota and even Missouri attended the reunion.

In addition to a weekend of social events, two military memorabilia collections were displayed in rooms at the VFW.
Allen Schuldt, Valley City, showed his collection of military memorabilia that he’s collected over the years. He and his father were in the service, which is what sparked Schuldt’s interest in the collection.

His collection has grown from two manequins with uniforms to a collection of what he calls museum-quality firearms, uniforms, flags and other vintage war pieces.

Greg Heinz, Bismarck, showed his collection of military memrobilia, much of it being related to the 164 infantry.

Heinz’s collection started with a uniform belonging to his grandfather, who was a prisoner of war in World War II, and has grown to an array of military photos and other vintage uniforms and war pieces.

One item that is special to him is Peter Grant’s vintage World War II uniform. Grant served in the 164 infantry in company G in Valley City.